30 minutes is allocated for questions to the Gwent Police representative.
Minutes:
Superintendent Mike Richards gave a brief update on activity across three policing sectors within Newport.
§ The City Centre Team understood the importance of a safe and thriving City Centre and the impact that antisocial activity, aggressive begging and associated disorders with the night time economy would have in relation to this. There had been a significant reduction in shoplifting by 50% and charges had been made along with custodial sentences, which was a positive outcome for local businesses. There was a strengthened number of Police on patrol on a Friday and Saturday, bringing in Police from neighbouring authorities, such as Monmouthshire. Operation Prevent saw a number of temporary road closures in the City Centre on a trial basis over the week-end and the Police received positive feedback from business owners. Installation of bollards within the City Centre was also being looked into as a longer-term measure.
§ The East Newport team had a busy couple of months with Halloween and Bonfire Night. There had been a recent spate of antisocial behaviour and damage caused to buses. The team were committed to early intervention and prevention. The teams were visiting schools with the Mini Police project having a positive outcome. Alway Station had opened during Halloween with a spooky theme and over 100 families visited the station. A successful drugs warrant had been issued in Lliswerry with a closure order to one property.
§ The West Newport team had seen the closure of premises in Pottery Terrace and Clarence Place in relation to selling of drugs. There was a multi- agency action day in Maesglas Community Centre and was a great success. Police were continuing to monitor the use of off-road bikes within Bettws. In relation to Allt-yr-yn, there were rough sleepers near the Crown Court, four of which had had been removed. Finally, there were two creeper burglaries in Rogerstone during October, where vehicles were stolen. Fortunately, arrests were made with a court appearance pending.
Questions from Councillors:
Councillor Jeavons thanked the Superintendent for the ongoing work in Lliswerry and asked if the Police would assist with the Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) team and enforcement of criminal parking offences, such as dangerous parking outside schools. In response, it was advised that they were collaborating with the CPE officers and the Mini Police; a new school initiative had been trying to educate drivers during school drop off time, which was a success.
Councillor Harvey asked the Superintendent to thank Inspector Cawley for the swift action with regard to anonymous calls. The Spooky Police Station was well-received by residents and re-humanised the police. There was one issue that residents had raised regarding two men; one with on a bike, who were calling on residents and asking if they could change their gas and electric. The Superintendent advised that he would put out an alert for residents not to answer their doors at night to anyone looking suspicious.
Councillor M Evans referred to the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in relation to begging around cash points and ticket machines and whether this could be revisited with the Police. The Superintendent had agreed that this was a challenge and not exclusive to Newport, however the Superintendent would meet with the Inspector to seek his views on amendment of the PSPO.
Councillor Marshall mentioned a recent article on the BBC website relating to the possession of knives/stop, search initiative, and asked how successful this was in Newport, or if there were more effective preventative measures that could be used. The Superintendent advised that he was aware of the article covering the South Wales Police area. Stop search was an important tool although knife crime issues in Newport was not significant. The Superintendent was happy to meet with Councillor Marshall and provide figures.
Councillor Guy gave figures on domestic related crimes, which had increased from the previous year and asked if Police were receiving the required training and liaising with multi agencies to deal with the problem. The Superintendent advised that it was very difficult for officers to investigate domestic crime; however, it was treated as a priority for Police and the Council and was high on the agenda for training. There was a successful multi agency safeguarding hub in place to tackle domestic violence.
Councillor D Williams asked if the sale of Nitrous Oxide canisters was being regulated and what could be done to prevent children purchasing these from shops. The Superintendent would look into this and get back to the Councillor.
Councillor J Watkins asked for an update on the reported security issue with View Point in Christchurch, which was reported at last Council. The Superintendent advised that he had discussed the issue today with Inspector Cawley but there had been no reports of increased antisocial behaviour.
Councillor R Truman referred to the change in Community Safety Warden (CSW) hours to allow them to work in daylight hours. This had been a successful campaign and during October, there were 77 fixed penalty notices for dog fouling, fly tipping and aggressive begging. It was hoped that this was the best way forward and the Council was looking to continue joint working with CSWs and the Police to show that Newport City Centre was a safe place to visit and shop. The Superintendent agreed and gave assurances of his continued support.
Councillor Lacey asked the Superintendent to thank Inspector Cawley for addressing the recent bus incidents and requested that the update be passed on to residents to assure them that the issue was being address. The Superintendent would monitor the progress of this behaviour although there had been no incidents reported recently.
Councillor Whitehead referred to an incident, which occurred in Bettws that day. The Superintendent advised Council that he was on Gold duty and had deployed firearm officers to Bettws and although the incident was downgraded, it was preferable to deploy officers who were suitably kitted rather than an on duty officer.
Councillor Forsey thanked officers for supporting the launch of the Mini Police in Rogerstone and asked if other schools within Newport had expressed an interest. The Superintendent agreed that this was a massive success, which started in three schools, but had now been extended to 13 schools and was an expanding scheme with more schools to be added in the new academic year.
Councillor Suller asked for an update on the ‘boy racers’ in Marshfield. The Superintendent advised that he had recently met with a Community Councillor and as a result had asked the local team to form a multi-agency group to resolve these issues.
A Terms of Reference was to be drafted involving the Civil Parking Enforcement team to tackle the problem. Councillor Suller also thanked the Police on their action in response to a landslide in Marshfield recently.